The Customs and Excise Department today (July 19) alerted parents not to let children play with a type of magnetic toy which was found to be unsafe.
Customs officers recently conducted spot checks on retailers supplying magnetic toys in different districts. A number of magnetic toys were sent to the Government Laboratory for safety tests. Results showed that a magnetic toy failed to meet the safety requirements of the prescribed safety standards for toys.
According to the safety test on the samples of the magnetic toy by the Government Laboratory, the soluble migrated elements of lead in the red and yellow colours of the magnetic toy were found to contain excessive lead content of 2,000mg/kg and 110mg/kg respectively. The levels far exceed the prescribed safety limit of 90mg/kg. In addition, the soluble migrated element of chromium in the red colour of the magnetic toy was found to contain excessive chromium content of 210mg/kg, exceeding the prescribed safety limit of 60mg/kg. Furthermore, the warning label for magnets was not found on the magnetic toy.
A Customs spokesman said, "The toy is assessed to have a high risk of causing poisoning to children. A total of 17 sets of the toy have so far been seized from a supplier cum importer and a retailer including its branch store. The department has also served Prohibition Notices under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance on them prohibiting the supply of the toy concerned.
"Customs follow-up actions are continuing. Prosecution will be taken against the companies concerned for offences under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance should there be sufficient evidence, "the spokesman said.
Under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance, it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import unsafe toys and children's products into Hong Kong.
The maximum penalty for the offence is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and $500,000 and two years' imprisonment on subsequent conviction.
Customs conducts spot checks on the safety of toys and children's products to ensure their compliance with the safety requirements of the prescribed standards set under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance to protect consumers' interests.
To report unsafe toys and children's products, please call the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or write to the Consumer Protection Bureau, Customs and Excise Department, at 11/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point.
Ends/Monday, July 19, 2010
